Bill would pave way for Tom Cotton White House bidLITTLE ROCK (AP) — U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton is barely into his third month in office, but a lawmaker in his home state of Arkansas wants to let the freshman Republican run for re-election and the White House in 2020. A bill advanced by a state Senate committee Tuesday would allow congressional and U.S. Senate candidates in Arkansas also appear on the ballot as presidential or vice presidential candidates. The majority-GOP Senate could consider the...

GOP senator behind Iran letter: Hard-charging rookieWASHINGTON (AP) — The rookie Republican senator leading the effort to torpedo an agreement with Iran is an Army veteran with a Harvard law degree who has a full record of tough rhetoric against President Barack Obama's foreign policy. But none of Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton's previous forays into national security made quite the impression, or raised as many hackles, as the letter he authored this week lecturing Iran's leaders on American democra...

Little Rock crews work to fill potholes as snow meltsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Road maintenance crews are dealing with a significant number of potholes that have formed throughout Little Rock as a result of recent winter storms and rain. Crews hit city streets and state highways Monday after having little time to fill in potholes in between the three winter storms that hit the city since Feb. 15. "We probably had the same number/size potholes, but over a longer period of time," Danny Straessle, a spoke...

Payment notification proposal rejected by committeeLITTLE ROCK (AP) — An Arkansas House panel has rejected a proposal to require all employers to provide employees with a pay stub each month. The proposal by Democratic Rep. Greg Leding of Fayetteville would have required employers of four or more people to provide monthly documentation of time worked that includes contact information. Leding says he wants to protect employees who leave their jobs but don't receive all of the pay they're entitl...

Murder defendant denied request for 4th attorneyLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A Pulaski County circuit judge has denied a murder suspect's request for a fourth new defense attorney. Darrell Dennis is a repeat parole absconder charged in the 2013 death of Forrest Abrams, 18, in Little Rock. Dennis is also charged with kidnapping and robbery in the case. Judge Chris Piazza on Tuesday denied Dennis' request to remove public defender Tom Devine from the case. Devine was appointed just last week, but a day...

Soon to be closed Batesville ConAgra plant to be purchasedBATESVILLE (AP) — The soon-to-be-closed ConAgra Foods plant in Batesville is to be purchased by Ozark Mountain Poultry. ConAgra announced Friday that it will close the plant in July, leaving 250 employees out of work. ConAgra spokesman Dan Hare said the chicken-making operations at the plant will be moved to improve efficiency and competitiveness. Ozark Mountain marketing director Melinda Acoach told The Batesville Daily Guard that Ozark Mount...

Fayetteville man pleads guilty to stabbing, beating womanLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A judge has sentenced a northwest Arkansas man to prison after he pleaded guilty in the 2013 stabbing and beating of a woman during a domestic dispute. Jessie Ellis, 41, of Fayetteville was sentenced Monday to 50 years in prison with 10 years suspended. He pleaded guilty to attempted capital murder and battery. Prosecutors dropped a second battery charge and a charge of endangering a minor's welfare as part of the plea barga...

Judge OKs increase for Pine Bluff's water ratePINE BLUFF (AP) — An administrative law judge has approved a 12.75 percent rate increase for a public utility that provides drinking water to Pine Bluff. Liberty Utilities serves 17,000 homes and businesses in the city. The company says an average residential customer's monthly bill will rise about 88 cents, from about $27.27 to $28.15. The Arkansas Public Service Commission is expected to finalize the rate increase within 30 days, and it will...

Senate votes to cut scholarship awards for freshmenLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas Senate voted Monday to reduce the lottery-funded scholarships incoming freshmen will receive and base its eligibility solely on standardized testing, despite concerns from Democrats that the move will hurt minority and low-income students. By a 22-12 vote, the Republican-controlled Senate supported changes to the scholarship program that supporters say are needed because of the lottery's dwindling revenue. The b...

Hank’s Fine Furniture to open in RussellvilleSHERWOOD — After 13 years, Hanks Fine Furniture is returning to the River Valley. Hanks has grown to 17 stores in five states. Still family owned, the company’s success is based on having Furniture for Less for Everyone. The new Hanks features a 25,000 square foot showroom located at 2609 E. Parkway Drive and will carry customer favorite brands from nearly 30 furniture manufacturers plus various accessory lines. The Russellville location will ...

Local author Gerovac to hold book signingLocal author Larry S. Gerovac is in the works of releasing the second installment of his God Chronicles trilogy, “The One Path.” Gerovac is holding a book signing from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at Hastings in Russellville. Gerovac has written two books in the genre of fantasy: “The Great Angel War” and “The One Path,” which is set to release on March 17. The books are a fusion of Christianity and fantasy, according to Gerovac. Gerovac wa...

Downtown Art WalkPatrons of the arts browsed through Russellville downtown businesses Friday at the works of art on display during the first Downtown Art Walk of the year. Locals strolled the sidewalks of the downtown historic district while greeting friends, shopping for art, and enjoying refreshments provided by the participating downtown businesses.

CASA of the 5th Judicial District to hold Meet and GreetCASA of the 5th Judicial District invites the public to attend a Meet and Greet at 6 p.m. on Thursday at The Journey, located at 3001 E. H St. in Russellville. CASA is currently looking for volunteers to serve in Pope County. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) are local volunteers who are appointed by a judge to represent the best interest of abused and/or neglected children in foster care. Volunteers must be age 21 or older and pass a b...

Hector house fire under investigationHECTOR — A house fire at 138 State Highway 164 near Hector required the teamwork of Hector Fire Department (HFD), Dover Rural Fire Department and Pope County Rural Fire Association to maintain. The HFD responded to the house fire at about 8 p.m. on Saturday and stayed on scene to fight the blaze until about 12:30 a.m. on Sunday. After arriving to the scene, Dover Rural Fire Department provided assistance, followed by the Pope County Rural Fire...

End of the Day at Regional AirportLike many kids, Bobby Day was interested in the world of flight at an early age. He never won a contest sponsored by his Sunday school teacher, whose husband owned a nearby airport. Instead, he had to settle for his first ride in an airplane when he got to taxi from one runway to another. His interest in Russellville’s airport started when he moved to the Arkansas River Valley in the early 1990s. He became a pilot, a volunteer, an Airport Comm...

Super Tuesday for Russellville City CouncilPrimary election season is still at least a year away, but the Russellville City Council could consider today’s meetings at City Hall as Super Tuesday. The aquatic center, construction manager, competitive bidding, water meters, water rate increase and sewer rate increase will all be discussed at Russellville City Hall beginning at 5 p.m. today. Mayor Randy Horton encouraged residents to attend the public hearings so City Corp. General Manager...

Dover's final try at mill increase ends todayA 3.2-mill increase is a matter of safety, Dover School District Superintendent Jerry Owens said of the third and final try at the special election to fund a middle school construction project. During early voting, 235 people cast their thoughts on the millage increase and now with polls open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Dover, Owens is rallying the community to support the construction of 26 new classrooms...

Obituary: Evelyn ChronisterATKINS — Evelyn Chronister, 58, of Atkins, passed away Monday, March 9, 2015, at her home. She was born March 27, 1956, in Atkins, daughter of the late Doyle and Ruby Dixon Duvall. She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Hunter Chronister; brother, Danny Duvall; and a sister, Mary Jane Bird. She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Dale Chronister; daughter, Tabatha and husband T.J. Johnson; five sons, Timmy Chronister and wife Shel...

Obituary: Jerrel TurnerATKINS — Jerrel Turner, 86, of Atkins, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2015, at Brookridge Cove Nursing Center in Morrilton. He was born Feb. 16, 1929, in Morrilton, son of the late George F. and Eunice Anderson Turner. He was a member of Calvary Temple Church where he served as deacon for many years. He was also a 32nd degree Mason and member of Morrilton Lodge #105. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Clyde Turner; three sisters, ...